[1] Number for August 9, 1862, which also contained a tolerably good portrait of M. Mouhot.
[2] The word Siam is Malay, from which language this name, as well as many others of Indian places, has been borrowed by Europeans. The Siamese know it not.
[3] “The word Phra, which so frequently occurs in this work, here appears for the first time; I have to remark that it is probably derived from, or of common origin with, the Pharaoh of antiquity. It is given in the Siamese dictionaries as synonymous with God, ruler, priest, and teacher. It is in fact the word by which sovereignty and sanctity are associated in the popular mind. As the title Divus was appropriated by the Roman Emperor, as in most monarchies a sort of sacredness is attached to the royal person, the orientals have made gods of their kings, their heroes, and their sages, without any scruple. Image-worship is in fact only the materialising or incarnating of the idea of Deity.”—The Kingdom and People of Siam, Sir John Bowring.
[4] Such names abound now, as Bang-cha, Bang-phra, Bang-plÁ-soi, &c.; BÁng signifying a small stream or canal, such as is seen in gardens.
[5] Mgr. Pallegoix died April, 1862, at Bangkok, where the king had him buried with great pomp.
[13] Since M. Mouhot’s journey, this king has died, and has been succeeded by his second son, a revolution in favour of the elder brother proving unsuccessful.
[14] The word city is here used to signify the royal palace, its appurtenances and fortifications.
[15] A head-dress excessively light and cool, convenient, and shading the face and neck from the sun. I strongly recommend it to travellers in hot countries.
[16] This appears very doubtful, even to the missionaries in Cochin China.
[17] M. Mouhot probably here refers to Numb. xix. 2.—Tr.
[18] Thence come the beautiful Bulimus Cambogiensis, Ptelin Cambogiensis, and Ptelin Mouhoti.
[19] Cambodian is pronounced “Khmer,” in the language of the country.
[21] The drawings of M. Mouhot at first sight recall those of the Polynesians of the North, and more especially of the Carolinas, as they are depicted in the works of Gutke, of Duperoy, and of Dumont d’Urville.
[22] This prediction is already in part fulfilled by an insurrection in favour of the young prince, the king’s brother, shortly after the departure of M. Mouhot. See the letter of M. Silvestre, 4th Jan. 1862.
[24] These sculptures probably represent the story of the Hindu Ramdyana, of great reputation among Buddhist nations. The angel is Ramana, Tyrant of Ceylon; and the King of the Monkeys, Hanuman, Rama’s General.
